Simplified X P System

If you prefer to use XP in your game to gauge a character’s advancement use the folowing formula to calculate the XP required to advance each level:

 XP total = current level*1,000, cumulative

For example, to advance to 2nd level a character will require 1,000XP. To advance to second will require 1x1,000 + 2x1,000 = 3,000XP, etc.

Award XP based on the Hit Dice of each defeated monster as per the following table.

Note that the award is per character, but modify the award based on participation in the encounter.

Award XP for multiple opponents by summing the XP total. For example, beating 3 1HD monsters = 300XP.

The GM can award discretionary XP for good role-playing, out-of-combat successes, scenarion completion, comedy value, etc.

Example

The party has just defeated an angelore, a 3HD monster. They each receive 600XP. The GM awards an extra 50XP to the Fighter because he came close to death during the encounter. The Cleric is docked 50XP (gaining only 550XP) for running and hiding after the first round. He’s going to have a lot of explaining to do.

Design Considerations

The rationale in this XP-based system is that it allows the DM considerable freedom to give the characters awards for out-of-combat situations and excellent role-playing.

The XP given for each Hit Dice equals 1/10th of that required to attain the next level. In other words, the formula is:

 current level*100, cumulative

This is roughly in line with D&D’s goal of 9 encounters per level, but mathermatically easier to keep track of. Also, the XP granted is the same regardless of the level of the characters, unlike in D&D. A 1st level and 6th level Fighter both gain 100XP for killing an Orc. The difference is that the 1st level Fighter need only defeat another nine to reach second level whereas the 6th level Fighter will have to plough through another 59 to reach 7th; it’s just not worth the challenge.

Games using this system are likely to see characters advancing more quickly than in both Core Microlite20 (because there are awards for role-playing) and D&D (because the XP awards are higher). If you wish to slow progression, reduce the XP awards per encounter by 25%:

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